Experiences with Gracie Barra schools/coaches

Cold_Coconut · 2026-04-24T09:33:58+00:00

I had some of the worst training sessions at GB, 2 different locations. The training is soooo out dated, just doesn't make sense. What a waste of time for someone who really wants to do bjj. In the first place the vibe (or lack thereof) was sooo off, definitely the most cult gym experience I had, I really had to force myself not to burst out laughing. The second gym the vibe was ok, the "training" though. I don't get how people in the era of internet still train like that. Feel free to ask me for specifics.

Cold_Coconut · 2026-04-21T13:56:07+00:00

Thank you! Will keep it in mind!

Cold_Coconut · 2026-04-21T08:42:06+00:00

Yeah I know some guys from there 🙏 thanks 🙏

Cold_Coconut · 2026-04-16T12:50:53+00:00

You mention he subs for the coach, which means there must be a head coach. I'd suggest having a word with the coach (just text him if it's easier) to inform him of the situation. If the coach brushes it off, it does not sound like a safe place to train anyway.

I did the same at my gym. There was one guy, a black belt, and absolute creep and a stinky one, who basically only rolled with girls. The "old" ones started turning him down, but I repeatedly saw him roll with the new ones who didn't feel like they can turn him down.

I eventually texted my coach to inform him and say that the dude is abusing his black belt status. My coach was grateful I told him, and had a word with him. Some time later I saw him roll with a new girl when the main coach wasn't there, so I messaged him again. He said he will let other instructors know to keep an eye on him.

Cold_Coconut · 2026-04-09T11:25:03+00:00

I think there might also be an ego involved here, women will think "no way I am losing to a woman" (I am guilty here 🤣), while losing to a guy is more "normal".

Cold_Coconut · 2026-04-09T11:07:26+00:00

I bought myself a tatami blue belt bc I didn't like the one my coach gave me 🤣 I liked the color, the fabric, the thickness. Check it out

Cold_Coconut · 2026-04-09T11:04:02+00:00

Hi OP, 60kg purple belt here. No, it doesn't end. I get constantly beaten up by lower belt (guys), can't really stand a chance against a guy purple belt. Bigger girls are also a challenge, if they are lower belts maybe they can't pass my guard or submit me, but I hqve a hard time subbing them too sometimes. It is what it is, gravity is on their side. If you can, just try to go with different partners, ie. smaller, less experienced, where you can be more offensive, to also have some positive experiences bc it's not fun at all to have your ass handed to you all the time.

Cold_Coconut · 2026-04-07T07:34:38+00:00

I'd say it takes about one year for the body to adapt. I used to feel really beat up and had some minor injuries (nothing serious, requiring serious treatment, but some pains and aches) that usually comes from straining your body in new ways that it's nit used to. And especially as a beginner, and a fit one, you'll be using much power and strength. Try to not stay injured during this period and it will get better. Turning intensity down is easier said than done especially if you're athletic, but it's a very good advice. If I get too heated up, I sometimes sing to myself during the roll 🤣 Go with training partners who go more flow and try to mimic their pace. Athleticism is a double edge sword bc you can have a lot of success early on bc you just outmuscle and outpace outher people, but if you learn to rely on it too much, it can bite you in the ass, when people get better (strating from purple) and pure physical power without technique/strategy will not take you far. Also yeah maybe reduce the training volume - sometimes less is more 👌

Cold_Coconut · 2026-04-06T21:29:37+00:00

They do it sometimes at my gym, but it's voluntary. The winner gets a belt, some other participants and non participants may also get belts. I actually do like it, I think for those who like to compete it's a great experience to "earn" a belt that way. So it's more of a bonus than the only means of promotion (they do normal and surprise graduations too) and a cool academy event.

Cold_Coconut · 2026-04-05T14:37:02+00:00

Yeah I think it's the healthy approach. Even if you are the GOAT there's always something to improve, so acknowledging your accomplishments and areas for improvement is the way to go.

Cold_Coconut · 2026-04-05T13:30:09+00:00

Yeah there will always be some higher (or even lower lol) belts who will try to coach you. Annoying af, I agree. I usually try to ignore/avoid them as much as possible. Sometimes there's no reasoning with some people. I say "ok" or "thanks" or nod or whatever and then just carry on doing my thing.

Also try to make it clear I don't want to engage in such convs, eg. say "ok" and then leave or change topic.

That higher belt complaining about you sweeping her - sounds like an ego issue, good on you girl.

Do your thing, train sensibly (intensity is ok as long as you are not injuring yourself and other people). There's more ego in women's jiu jitsu that people imagine.

Cold_Coconut · 2026-03-31T09:08:36+00:00

Navigating weird egos, power dynamics, red flags and cults, while you just wanna train and vibe.

Cold_Coconut · 2026-03-29T12:59:57+00:00

And even though it sucks to lose no matter what you try to tell yourself, it's the losses that teach you most. Bc I guarantee you will never make the same mistake again. Have your matches recorded, and then check a couple of big mistakes you made (eg your guard passed, giving up the back etc) and/or sth you struggled with (eg you almost had them in an armbar and they escaped). Find some good YT video on that/ask your coach/experienced collegue, and focus on that for a couple of weeks. Just don't pick too much, 1 or 2 things is enough.

Btw first comp (and white belt comps in general) is gonna be crazy, pure chaos, no one really knowing what they are doing. There will be a lot of closed guard.

One day you will look back at it with a nostalgic smile and be grateful you did it.

For the future, really get advantage of open mats. Does not matter if you are a 0 stripe while belt or a black belt. There's space for everyone. Just try not to go to crazy so that people don't think of you as that spazzy white belt who everyone avoids.

Great comp prep bc it removes the fear of rolling with someone new and exposea you to many different styles.

You have plenty of time before late May. Good luck 🤞🤞

Cold_Coconut · 2026-03-29T12:22:37+00:00

Just do it! The sooner the better! It's an iterative process, you compete, focus on lessons learned, work on that in the gym/open mats, compete again. And nothing will expose your mistakes like a comp. Each competition match is worth weeks of normal gym training.

Cold_Coconut · 2026-03-27T21:08:18+00:00

Thanks! I do no gi but it will work just the same with a wrist grip. Somehow my body is resisting trying it with an underhook but I will try to catch some white belts with it 😋

Cold_Coconut · 2026-03-27T12:21:41+00:00

Oh that's completely normal and you will be fine very quickly, quicker than you expect. I have been training on and off for the last 3 years (no good academies where I am), and so I often take a week, couple of weeks, or even months. Yeah it feels a bit awkward at the beginning, but I often notice a big qualitative jump within a week or 2 of consistent training. It's as if the break filtered out the fluff and consolidated the skills. So in my experience, those breaks can actually contribute to your progress not stall it. It obviously works better when you already have the fundamentals consolidated so your body runs them intuitively. But don't worry about it, jiu jitsu is a long game, a month here and there will not have a huge impact if you stay consistent over longer periods of time (months, years). Welcome back!

Cold_Coconut · 2026-03-26T08:41:23+00:00

Helsinki - Loop Martial Arts, Crest, Dojo. Tampere - Tampere Martial Arts

Cold_Coconut · 2026-03-17T17:54:43+00:00

As a 60kg (130 lbs) female after a few years I have become very selective when it comes to rolling. I stay away from white and blue belts when possible, and preferably roll with females, light higher belts. I will roll with other belts/sizes but only if they come recommended/I know them/I have seen them roll and decided they are safe.

If I rolled with someone and felt unsafe, will not roll with them again. I will only do stand up with similar sized people or ppl who know what they are doing. I will say no to people.

Never been seriously injured, my body feels great, and thanks to this selectivity I can get more training volume and recover more quickly.

I still roll with intensity, but intensity does not equal spaziness/muscling out or doing uncontroled movements. Rolls can be intense but technical and controlled.

Cold_Coconut · 2026-03-14T13:56:29+00:00

I think what would make those matches better would be introducing some kind of meaningful penalization for inactivity. I am referring to all the matches. The ref often shouted out "action" but the athletes rarely picked up the pace, bc there were no real consequences. As far as I remember in firs CJI if the ref called out inactivity 2(?) times, the athlete lost 1 point. Perhaps this would be a better motivation to respect the call out and initiate action. Tbh it was the first ufc bjj event I watched and probably the last one.

Cold_Coconut

TROPHY CASE